The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB's function is to improve safety and public confidence in the aviation, marine and rail modes of transport. The ATSB is Australia's prime agency for the independent investigation of civil aviation, rail and maritime accidents, incidents and safety deficiencies.

The pilot reported that he arrived at Daly River Police Station at 0745 CST and picked up his passenger who was a NT police officer. The passengers equipment was loaded on board and the helicopter departed the police station at 0810. The pilot flew approximately 1.5 NM northwest and landed on the pinnacle of an 800 ft high ridge. He said he frictioned all the controls down and secured the helicopter, before assisting the passenger to unload his equipment. The pilot said he and the passenger were about 10 m from the helicopter, and he had just turned to head back towards it when the left skid lifted off the ground about 2.5 to 3 ft. This subsequently caused the main rotor blades to strike the ground. The helicopter rolled over to the right and caught fire. The passenger was struck by flying debris resulting in cracked ribs. Wind at the time of the accident was gusting from 25 to 35 kts from the south-east. The helicopter was facing a southerly direction on the edge of the mountain range.